Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-17

Its believed that 10 those holding the out
standing Indebtedness OF the State could meet.
through their committee, face 70 face, such q
commission hore in Virginia or elsewhere and
hear and see for themselves, be confronted by
the stubborn facts ne they exist nj present and
lie Impressed with the uncertainty which dvelis
IN the future and a<tses from the unsettled
problem, which constantly exasperates and ha-
rasses the public mind, they would be willing
10 fund such outstanding Indebtedness into
the bonds Of this settlement, whose value
would be ct once greatly increased. Such action
on their part solves the problem and terni.
rates the agitation. Virginia viii act In gooi
faith will pay her debt thus ascerfaiaed and
acauiesced In by both contracting parties, an !
which has been concurred In by both political
larfies. because her revenues will prove
adequate without Increasing the burdens OF
her people.
have the honor 10 transmit herewith n brief
feport by the Attorney. General OF the legal de-
cisions upon the debt question since the last
adjournment OF the General Assembly, In
order that they may be duly considered Ia any
further legislation ON the subject.
THE CODE.
The attention Of the General Assembly Is
also directed to the work OF the reyisers Of the
Code. Under to- "Act 20 revise and digest the
Code and Statutes Of Virginia." approved
March IS, 1884, IL was made the duty OF three
persons, 10 be elected by the General Assem-
bly,, 10 collato and revise oil the general
statutes, civil and criminal, Of this Common
wealth. which may be In force al the time OF
the completion Of their work. Judges Burks
and Staples and Major John W. Riley. the gen.
tlemen selected for this purpose, officially re-
port 10 me that the text OF the Code, both civil
and criminal. will be completed to-day or with
In few days. They were authorized under
the law 10 deliver the whole Of their work at
one time, or parts at different times. 70 the
Public Printer, who shall print fifteen hundred
copies thereof"
IL order 10 have their work accurately printed
their personal supervision was thought TO be
necessary, but up 10 this tire their duties have
been 20 continuous and heavy that they have
not teen able 10 supervise this printing, and
hence II has rot been done. III their work Il 20
be referred 20 one of the standing committees
or TO q special committee, would recommend
that II be done at the earliest possible moment
and before entering upon other Legislation.
such committee should he given the power to
print, examine, aud report, and, with the all
Of The revisers, they could to5t the accuracy Of
the printing as IL Is daily done. Information
from every part Of the State csnyinces me that
this work Of the reyisers Is required as soon as
possible in the best interests Of the people.
cannot, therefore, too strongly urge upon your
attention the importance Of its adoption at this
session. The time and attention bestowed upon
II by the reyiseTs, their high character and
great legal attainments, guarantee that their
work has been faithfully aud intelligently per-
formed. They have had urezampled difficult
with The history Of Legislation in Virginia Is
Tainfully aware Of the confusion and difficult
ties Of construction In our entire system OF
legislation for many years. There has been no
revision Of the laws since 1879; for, as the Legs
lature is aware neither the Code OF 1860 nor that
Of 1873 has any claim 10 consideration as re-
vision. They are mere compilations OF the
laws. ! ask your prompt consideration OF
subject Of such great magnitude and impor-
tance TO the State.
INSANE AsYLuMs.
The last subject have 10 present for your
consideration relates 10 our unfortunate ciii-
Zens whose dementcd condition appeals 80
strongly 10 charity. IL should be the duty OF the
State 20 provide Them with proper medical at
tention in order that they may be restored II
possible TO health; 10 watch over their safety,
70 make them comfortable, and In every way
CnTe for those who are unable 10 care for them
selves.
II affords me pleasure 20 be able 10 report 10
you hat The now asylum ct Marion for the In
sane, making the fourth now erected In tn2
State, has boon duly completed. A Board o.
NisitOfs has been appointed for its manage
II. cnt, under whose direction IL will soon be-
equipped for the reception Of patients. and un-
der the direct management OF the experienced
ard skilled physicians the Board have 30
wisely placed In charge, will, hope, be In sue
cessful operation i'm the near future.
cannot refrain in this connection from cali
ing your attention 70 the splendid work OF The
Building Committee, 20 whose conscientious,
fGithful. and Intelligent labors, whether la
erecting a building, whOse architectural design
and construction ~ most creditable. or in tn9.
iudicious and economical management Of tho
funds appropriated for that purpose, deserve
The grateful Acknowledgements Of the Common
wealth. From information In my possession
am satisned this new asylum will be filed as
soon as IL Is opened by the insane whites now
waiting its readiness 10 receive them, aud who,
in consequence u the crowded condition OF the
asylums at StauniOn md WILLIAMSBURG, have
been confined heretofore in tho jails o.
at their homes. The dictates OF human
iy now demand that you should make
provision 20 ameliorate the condition OF our
cOlored felow-ciizens who are affected with
lunacy, ond who cannot be accommodated ~
Tie Central LUnatic Asylum near Petersburg
because Of ia overcTC Hded condition. The
asylum there should be either enlarged or suit
able accommodations provided elsewhere, 30
that as soon IA possible every colOred patient
with mental malady may be given the
advantage which kind treatment by expe-
riencCd physicians and trained nurses can be-
stow. Under an existing law Code of 1873.
page ~, section 3S), the court in whose Jail any
luuatic may be confined shall, when practical
and proper, contract with some ht and proper
person for the maintenance and care OF such
iunatic out OF the Jail, and TO MAKE allowance
not exceeding what is authorized for
lunatic confined I'm the Jail, and the expenses,
services. and ali allowances shall be certified
10 tho Auditor of Public Accounts for pay
ment
This law has not been construed by tho Audi
tor "a authorizing him 10 pRy for the trans
porietion Of either the said lunatics or the ne
Ceseary guards, nor has il been found practica
BILE 10 make arrangements for said transfer
because the expense OF the maintenance OF an
insane person is necessarily greater than that
OF an ordinary criminal confined In the teils,
and therefore IL IL difficult TO find " TIT and pro-
per personsn who are willing 10 undertake TO
maintain and care for them Tor what II costs
the state 10 maintain them In the iails ! re-
commend that the Executive be authorized 10
make such temporary arrangements. al as
small expense TO tho State as possible. az will
comfortably provide for the luraticS now in the
jais until they can be placed in the regular
asylums, wi ere their treatment aud safe-keep-
ing will he secured.
in conclusion. submit 10 the legislative de-
partment Of the Commonwealth oil these DIM
cult ard grave questions. with perfect conf
dence that when history prepares an indict-
ment against gOvcrnmentsit Will be found that
by your wise legislation and harmonious coun-
sells the ancient foundations Of our Odd Do
minion have been strengthened, and that ali
Obstacles In the path Of Nirginas future
growth, glory, and greatness have been sur
mounted. FITzHUGH LEE.
The message was laid on the table
and 2,C00 copies ordered to be printed.
Bills PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
Py Mr. Wickham: Directing the
Poard of Public Works TO deliver t.
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany certain maps and papers. THE
maps and papers referred to are those
in possession of the Board relating to
the night of way of the Virginia Cen
trail railroad, the COyington and Ohio
and the Blue Ridge Railroad
Companies.
BY Mr.. Mccormick To amend the
charter of the city Of Winchester and
TO authorize said city to increase its
public debt. [The bill provides for the
issue of S20,O00 Of 5 per cent. regis
tered or coupon bonds for the erection
Of a public building for municipal
BY Mr.. EllysOn A bill to establish
The Court of Equity Of the city OF
defining its jurisdiction,
and relating 10 the courts of the said
,ity. CThis bill has been published in
The Dispatch in full.
By Mr.. Hodges For the relief Of
Samuel w. Lyons. treasurer of the
county of Norfolk.
By Mr.. Wickham : To give the con-
sent of the State of Virginia to the
erection of hotel upon the lands OF
he United States at Fortress Monroe.
BY Mr.. Blackstone TO amend, &c
IN act for the preservation of oysters
md to obtain a revenue for the privi-
ege of taking them from the waters OF